KATHMANDU, May 14: Only those Nepali migrant workers who have returned from working abroad at least after working for six months will be allowed to bring two mobile phones with them.

The Department of Customs issued a notice on Sunday stating that only after completing six months of foreign employment with a work permit can people bring two mobile phones from abroad.

The director of the department, Punya Bikram Khadka, said that Nepalis who have gone to work abroad with a work permit can bring in a mobile phone which they are using and one new phone or both used mobiles. 

According to him, Nepalis who have gone abroad for studies and other purposes will be allowed to bring only one phone with them. "Nepali citizens who have worked abroad for at least six consecutive months with a labor permit must declare one more mobile phone at the customs office and complete the customs process," the release said, "Nepali people who have gone abroad for other purposes such as studies are allowed to bring one mobile phone only. There is no need to declare the set at the customs office. This decision was taken by the meeting of the Council of Ministers held on May 9.

There is a provision in the Baggage Rules 2077 that passengers returning from abroad can bring the mobile phone they are using without paying a fee

According to the same arrangement, the Nepal Telecommunication Authority is implementing the Mobile Device Management System (MDMS), a system to control illegal calls, from May 15. According to the customs office, the person should register the phone in the system of Nepal Telecommunication Authority through online means. For registration, the passport or citizenship and the page of the passport or boarding pass that is visible when going abroad and returning will have to be uploaded.

Earlier, from December 30, 2022, the authority had prepared to implement the MDMS, a technology to control illegal phones. While the authority was preparing to implement the said system, the work was stopped for the time being on the instructions of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

 
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